Rory McIlroy-Acushnet

After a five-year partnership, Rory McIlroy and Acushnet Co. (maker of Titleist and FootJoy) announced on Oct. 30, 2012 that their contract would not be renewed. The company had previously been McIlroy's equipment provider since turning pro. McIlroy became the latest big-name golfer to walk away from Titleist, presumably for a more lucrative deal. Other recent examples include Tiger Woods in 2000 and Phil Mickelson in 2004. While Nike is reportedly interested in the world's top-ranked player -- and now the sport's most-coveted free agent -- no official deal has been announced as of yet.